Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Had CIA briefing and overall review of smallpox plan in Secr. Thompson’s office with Gov. Ridge, Col. Bob Kadlac, Julie Gerberding, Jerry Hauer, and a Ridge person . Clearly Russia had modified smallpox and very likely Iraq has smallpox. We reviewed the pre-emptive plan for vaccination that will be presented to Pres. Bush tomorrow by TGT in anticipation that he will make the policy decision soon. We will recommend the 3 stage proceedure of 500,000 to 10 million to the general population. Word in the meeting is that we will definitely attack Iraq by January.